Asean Travel And Tours

  Tourists on the Chao Praya River in Bangkok on Dec. 9, 2022. Photo by AFP Thailand's Cabinet recently introduced updates to the qualifications, criteria, and conditions of the Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa program, aiming to attract a broader range of experts, investors, and executives to strengthen the country's foreign talent pool. In a statement on Jan. 15, the Board of Investment (BOI) said the minimum annual income requirement for Wealthy Global Citizens category applicants has been removed to prioritize the cumulative wealth and investments in Thailand, which are the core requirements for this category, aligning with the goal of encouraging greater foreign investment activity in the country. Meanwhile, the corporate revenue requirement for overseas-based employers sponsoring an applicant has been lowered. The rights for dependents of the principal applicant, to any of the four LTR categories have been expanded without a limitation on the number of dependents. The rights...

Vietnamese cuisine has emerged as a major draw for international tourists and a big competitive advantage for the country's tourism industry. "Cuisine is the quickest way to understand a destination's culture," Harvey Koi, a tourist from Dubai says. He first visited Vietnam in 2017, exploring Ho Chi Minh City, where he was captivated by the rich culinary diversity, he says. His craving for Vietnamese dishes brought him back in 2022, and since then he has returned annually to Hanoi and HCMC, spending a month each time exploring markets and savoring local foods. He creates food content, offering recommendations for foreign tourists about where to explore cuisine in the two cities. Like him, many international visitors prioritize culinary experiences alongside sightseeing and cultural exploration. "If you ask 10 foreign customers, nine say they love Vietnamese cuisine after experiencing a food tour," Nguyen Huy Hoang, CEO of travel platform Klook Vietnam, says....

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft lands at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, June 15, 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Vietnam Airlines has been named one of the 25 safest airlines globally in 2025, according to AirlineRatings, a renowned website for airline safety and product ratings. The national flag carrier ranked 22nd on the list, which was led by Air New Zealand and Qantas. AirlineRatings evaluated 385 global airlines for its annual ranking, assessing factors such as recent incident records, fleet age, and results from audits by aviation authorities, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Vietnam Airlines continues to focus on flexible capacity management, cost optimization, and strategic discount negotiations while capitalizing on the growth of international travel, according to a company press release. Other carriers included in the list were Taiwan's Eva Air, Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and South Korea's Korean Air.

Malaysian passports. Photo courtesy of the official portal of the Sarawak government Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei hold the most powerful passports in Southeast Asia in the latest ranking released by British global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners. With visa-free access to 195 countries and territories, Singapore holds its title of having the most powerful passport in the world and Southeast Asia, according to the Henley Global Mobility Report. Malaysia ranked second in the region with visa-free entry to 183 destinations, followed by Brunei with 166 destinations. Timor-Leste ranked fourth with visa-free access to 97 destinations. Thailand, whose economy heavily depends on tourism, came in fifth in the region with its passport holders having access to 82 destinations without a visa. Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, ranked sixth with access to 76 destinations without a visa. Filipino passport holders can access 67 countries globally without a vis...

Holidaying in the Land of Smiles during the low season isn’t just about avoiding the crowds – it’s about experiencing the country in a more intimate and authentic way, says James Draven Despite the occasional downpour, there are plenty of reasons to visit Thailand from May to October – so pack your mac and sense of adventure, and get ready to see this spectacular country in a whole new light. From rejuvenated landscapes to rich cultural experiences, the rainy season reveals a side of Thailand that is often overlooked. And who knows? The off-season might just become your favourite time to visit. Why you should visit Thailand in the low season 1. Go for the weather This might have high-season purists spitting out their cha yen (iced tea) in horror, itching to inculcate would-be visitors with the well-worn wisdom that “summer is the hot, humid, rainy season”. And it is, but let’s face it, Thailand is hot all year around, with temperatures remaining in the early-to-mid thirties from Januar...

 The US magazine Traveler + Leisure has recently voted Ninh Binh Province as one of the 12 "coolest filming locations" in Asia.  Ninh Binh Province is only around 2 hours driving from Hanoi. This is home to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam under the reign of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980). Ninh Binh Province with Trang An Complex became famous worldwide since being the filming place of the blockbuster movie: "Kong: Skull Island" in 2016. Travel+Leisure said: "The Ninh Binh area is known as the inland cousin of Ha Long Bay. Scenically similar, though significantly smaller, it has far fewer visitors." Other filming locations included in the list are Siem Reap in Cambodia, Busan in South Korea, Khempur in Asia, Krabi in Thailand, Singapore, Bali in Indonesia, the Maldives, and Tokyo in Japan.

Hanoi, a city where rich history blends seamlessly with vibrant modern life, offers a wealth of activities that showcase its unique culture, stunning landmarks, and mouthwatering cuisine. 1. Enjoy the street food and beverages Tourists eat out at night in Ta Hien in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of Hanoi, then start by trying the local cuisine like a true local. The capital is famous for its food scene with street food stalls, bustling markets, and neighborhood cafes all in on the action. Whether enjoying a traditional meal at a family-owned restaurant or nibbling on snacks from a market vendor, embracing Hanoi’s food culture is the perfect way to connect with its heart and soul. The bustling streets are filled with food shops offering iconic dishes like pho at Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su (10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem District), bun dau mam tom at Bun dau mam tom Hang Khay Co Tuyen (31 Hang Khay Street, Hoan Kiem), and banh cuon at Banh Cuo...